
University Librarian
- Email Address
- simon.bains@abdn.ac.uk
- Telephone Number
- +44 (0)1224 273384
- Office Address
- School/Department
- Digital & Information Services
Biography

I have been the University Librarian at Aberdeen since 2019. Prior to that I was Deputy Librarian at Manchester, and briefly Interim Library Director. I have also held leadership posts at the University of Edinburgh and the National Library of Scotland. I have worked as a professional academic librarian since 1995 and have held positions in a total of seven universities.
Open Research
In 2021/22 I wrote a series of blog posts on the subject of being open to all in our research publishing.
Memberships and Affiliations
- Internal Memberships
-
I represent the University Library as follows:
- Senate
- Research Policy Committee
- University Education Committee
- Digital Strategy Committee
- Information Governance Committee
- PGR Committee
- External Memberships
-
I represent Aberdeen on:
Scottish Consortium of University and Research Libraries (SCURL) (Currently committee secretary)
I represent Scottish universities on:
Research Licensing Strategy Group
I am currently a panel member on the REF PCE pilot (UoA33)